Airport renamed in honour of Canada's most decorated military veteran

It's one of Meaford's crown jewels and now has a new name in honour of one of Canada's most celebrated soldiers.

On Thursday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at what is now known as the Major General Richard Rohmer Meaford International Airport. Previously named after Billy Bishop, who also has an airport named after him in Toronto, the new owner decided to start a new chapter at the storied facility.

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"He means everything to the whole country as far as a tribute to our freedom and fighting overseas," said Rick Horwath, who recently took over ownership of the Meaford airport.

General Rohmer is Canada's most decorated veteran in military history.

As he's called even by his closest loved ones, the General was just a young man when he served overseas in the Second World War, playing pivotal roles on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy.

While he was shot at many times while flying in the Royal Canadian Air Force over his 135 missions, his plane was only hit once.

"I'm feeling very excited about the fact that [the airport has] been renamed for me," General Rohmer told CTV News. "It's a great treasure and a great thrill to be invited to participate in it. I've flown out of this airport many times."

Thursday's gathering was attended by various dignitaries, including Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner and Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont.

"He has been there for us all his life, so I think it's our time now to be right there and celebrate him," Dumont said.

During her address to the crowd, Dumont spoke of her first meeting with General Rohmer shortly after she was appointed last year. Initially slated for approximately half an hour in her schedule, their meeting went for approximately two hours, with Dumont soaking up the General's first-hand accounts of history.

"I was quite impressed that he was at the door outside waiting for me. So right away, he made me feel welcome as a new lieutenant governor," Dumont said. "I just felt welcome."

While primarily wanting to honour the legacy of General Rohmer, airport owner Rick Horwath said he hopes that the name change also sparks a renewed interest in the aviation field.

"It's gone downhill in the last few years, and I think we can revive it," Horwath said.

Thursday's gathering was nothing out of the ordinary for General Rohmer. Despite turning 100 earlier this year, the veteran maintains a relatively busy schedule, attending five events in about ten days.

Earlier this Spring, he managed to return to France as thousands of people from around the world converged to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

"It doesn't feel 100! Being 100 doesn't impact me at all," Rohmer said. "I don't intend to slow down. There's no sense in slowing down."